A winter weekend in Old Montreal

Winter is settling into the historic district and it's the perfect opportunity to discover the magic of the neighbourhood. Looking for activities to explore the Old Montreal, or a restaurant to discover new flavours? Here are our suggestions:

Last update: November 30, 2023

Where to relax?

• Stay at Hôtel Gault and relax after your winter stroll through the magnificent streets of Old Montreal. Get 15% to 25% off your room if you stay a minimum of three nights. And note that Restaurant Gault reopens at lunchtime with a brand-new menu featuring contemporary French cuisine.

• If you want to stay close to the magnificent Notre-Dame Basilica, book your nights at Le Petit Hôtel. You'll be enchanted by the historic architecture and modern, comfortable furnishings.

• When you stay at the Hyatt Centric, you'll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Gare Viger, the site of the first railway station built in Canada. This sophisticated, recently opened hotel is located on the edge of the district, at the crossroads of old and new.

• For a warm, intimate night's sleep, opt for Hôtel Épik, with just 10 rooms and suites. The on-site team will help make your stay unforgettable.

Where to eat and drink?

Old Montreal offers an array of options for every taste and craving. It's a unique place to discover new flavors and to try gastronomic experiences.

• After a good night's sleep, start your day with an extraordinary brunch at Pincette, a lobster bar. Sip on a delicious mimosa and accompany it with lobster guédilles and decadent omelettes. Mouth-watering.

• To satiate your afternoon hunger, stop by Mariscos, a seafood and Mexican food paradise. On the menu, you'll find a variety of tacos, as well as corn tortillas with homemade guacamole. The perfect snack to pair with the various cocktails on offer, such as the Coyote, made with Cazadores Blanco, crème de cassis, lime and ginger beer.

• For dinner, try the brand-new HAYAT restaurant, whose name means "life" in Arabic. You'll be invited to celebrate life through Lebanese and Syrian cuisine, through sharing, discovery, exchange and, of course, the pleasure of trying new flavors.

What to do?

At any time of year, the neighborhood is bursting with events and activities to do on your own, with friends or family. Here are a few suggestions for your stay. You'll find a fuller list in our events section.

• Celebrate the magic of the holiday season in the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours chapel, Montreal's oldest chapel, with the return of the Choralies on Saturdays and Sundays in December.

• Don't miss a Victorian Christmas at Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site, where you'll experience the preparations for a 19th-century bourgeois Christmas.

• Discover the luminous AURA experience in the heart of the Basilica and its unique French-inspired, Gothic Revival architectural interior.

• Starting December 9, skate in a magical atmosphere overlooking the historic neighborhood at the Old Port Skating Rink. Bring your skates, or rent them on site, and stretch your legs right next to the ferris wheel.

A complete and unforgettable weekend awaits you in Old Montreal!

N.B.: Is your business perfect for this list but not yet mentioned here? Don’t hesitate to write to us at info@sdcvieuxmontreal.com and we would be happy to add it here.

Photo: Sara Megan